Fifty One Shades of Truth

My shawl has been finished for some time (since February) but I never posted a picture of it after blocking and sewing in the ends.

Pattern: All the Shades of Truth (purchased on Ravelry)
Yarn: Shepherd Sock from Lorna's Laces

Lorna's Laces introduced Shepherd Sock in 50 shades of grey. There are 5 different colour ways and each has 10 shades of grey. I used all 5 colours with charcoal as my border hence the Fifty One Shades.

Mr. Canada Post brought in the box from Zen Yarn Garden this morning.

Serenity 20

Serenity Silk Single

It was hard but I didn't take any home with me. Kim didn't take any either. I can't make that promise about tomorrow though. Neville (the business is a husband and wife team) did an amazing job with the colours. He wrote this in an email to me

The best part of doing OOAKs is winding them up and seeing the color combinations/mixings, Roxanne keeps telling me to keep winding and stop admiring the yarns, lol.

OOAK stands for one of a kinds. The colours we received can not be duplicated. Maybe something close but not exactly the same.

I heard from a few customers today that we are supposed to have bad weather on Thursday. I just looked it up on my iPad and there is a Winter Storm Watch. WHAT?? It's April. Can't we have nice sunny days? I don't need it to be hot (you can't wear a sweater if it's too hot) but if the sun came out then I would be happy.

I'm moving upstairs in a few minutes to watch Top Chef Canada. We taped it last night but couldn't watch because the basketball game was so good. Eos is waiting. Actually, I left Shadow at work so that I couldn't work on it tonight.

My sister just informed me that her Inspira Cowl is finished. Then she said 'I can cast it off if you are too busy.' That would be way too painful so I'm off to do it for her.

Fifty One Shades of Truth

I told Beth late Friday night (while I was frantically knitting) that I wasn't going to bed last night until the shawl was done.

This was at 10pm. Section 6 is done and I have picked up one side edge. Two rows of the side edge are done.

At 3 am. The first border is finished and cast off. I was so tired that I had to go to bed. 

I was back up at 8 and picking up stitches. The borders were taking a lot longer than I thought. I forgot that there are over 400 stitches on the needles for 10 rows.

At 3:50 this afternoon. Done. Cast off. It has soaked in Soak and is now laying out to dry. I'm exhausted. Not sure if it was the knitting, lack of sleep or the worry that I wouldn't make it.

Now I'm going to relax. Not sure what I'm going to work on tonight. I think my Linen Stitch Scarf. Or I might start my airplane knitting. The project is picked. I think :) There is still time to change my mind.

Picture from Jane

Jane had to set the Jubilee throw aside to work on a sweater for a family friend. The sweater is done and now she's back at the squares. She sent this email today. I'm getting excited. We have the spot picked out where it will hang in the great room of our house.

Here is a pic of the last squares I've done. As you can see they need ends sewn in and they are obviously not blocked.  Will block when I get home.
Two more squares to do

Jane needs the Sew In Ends Fairy to visit her house. There are a few of them to sew in.

Some of you might not know what Jane is knitting. It is the Jubilee Throw, a Kaffe Fassett design. You can download the pattern on Rowan's website.

Mr/Ms Canada Post should be bringing the new Offhand Designs bags tomorrow.

The Zhivago in Romana.

The Daisy in Greyjoy

• Comfortable handles stay on your shoulder
• Six pockets for essentials, wine bottles, yarn, produce and so much more
• Stands wide open on its own so you can see everything inside easily
• Sleek, secure closure - nothing falls out
• Available in many plush, beautiful, limited edition textiles

A picnic, a project, a party, a market bag. Functional and fanciful, Daisy can easily carry six bottles of wine, dozens of pretty apples, or about 24 skeins plus a project. Fully reversible for when you want it sleeker or carry a heavy load. 

Winterfell

• 12"H x 9.5 "W x 9.5 "D
• 24" straps
• 6 interior pockets
• fully reversible
• drawstring closure

Larissa does an amazing job picking fabrics.

I'm halfway through section 6. A few more dates with Patrick and I will be done. I've been dating Patrick a lot lately-Season 3 is almost done and I need to download Season 4. I need to slow down on watching episodes because it is supposed to be my plane knitting.

And a sneak peek at the website.

A couple of things I found while playing
-the colours with the red triangles are out of stock
-when you put your cursor over the swatch the colour names comes up
-when you click on the swatch you get a larger picture which is a skein of yarn

Now I am having a debate with myself. Do I knit or do I work??

Comfortable Dogs

I set down my knitting last night and went to the kitchen to make a cup of tea. When I turned around this is what I saw. They looked very comfortable.

At least they know not to lay on my knitting.

Here are a few pictures of that knitting.

Mr. Canada Post brought in a box from Lynda this morning. Lynda does a great job on the projects she makes for us.

The Coors Cowl in Classic Elite Chalet.

5 skeins and 8mm 80cm circular needles.

The pattern is from Classic Elite's January 2 web-letter.

I wrapped it over my friend's shoulders and put on a shawl pin. Nice and cozy.

From Classic Elite

The Coors Cowl from Annissa George is perfect project for all of us ready to knit knit knit without pressure. Knit in five colors of Chalet, this isn't a finish it in a few days cowl – it's more of a I'll be sad when it's over cowl. Annissa owns a LYS in the Boston area and shared the pattern because it was a hit with her customers. We're thrilled to pass on the pattern to you!

Rowan Felted Tweed-a yarn that I love.

It's the Easy Fold Poncho from Churchmouse Yarns. Choosing a colour was hard. Rowan doesn't do ugly colours. I finally chose this one becuase it will look good in the store with the scarves we have knit up. It will also look good at the Knitter's Frolic. It seems like a long way off but it isn't. I have most of the booth planned already.

While I was writing an email came in from UPS. They are delivering the spring Rowan tomorrow. Finally! I can't wait to see it. The All Season Chunky has me excited.

We have the DVR ready to tape The Following with Kevin Bacon. I've heard it is dark but we'll see. It's time to knit-my deadline is looming.

Website

Things are starting to progress on the website. Maybe I should explain. We are redoing the site. It was supposed to be done a while ago but there are always glitches. Korey has most of the glitches fixed and we are starting to move things over. I'm hoping to be able to tell you very soon that it is up and running. I spent time today adding patterns. Rowan is done and I started on Kim Hargreaves. While moving things over I'm finding out of date products that need to be removed and new products that were missed.

It might be too early to be showing this but I'm excited about the layout.

Here is the current website. There are lists of what we carry but no pictures until you click on the name. It works but websites have evolved since this was made.

Now there are pictures for everything and you can click to get more information.

There is also a search function that will let you see the newest products.

Not sure how this came about but I decided to hang the Rowan Kidsilk Haze Stripe.

The colours really show with the yarn hanging. I need to redo it tomorrow and put the yarn in numerical order. It is easier for you to find the colours listed in a pattern. It makes it easier for me when reordering.

I took this picture of Fifty One Shades of Truth last night before bed. I thought I was done section 5 but then I decided to add more rows. I like my shawls really, really long. Maybe tonight.

Barrett-Jackson is on the TV. This is the huge auto auction from Scottsdale Arizona. Beth and I spent a day there last year. Mom and dad are in Myrtle Beach right now and dad is watching as well. When an awesome car comes across the block we call him or he calls us. I don't want to see my phone bill.

Varjo (Shadow)

Here is another pattern in my list of airplane knitting. Veera Valimaki is the designer. You might recognize her name, Veera designed Color Affection-that could be another choice. I have been looking at this pattern for some time but it was part of a KAL and not available for purchase. It's available now and I bought it.

Shadow varjo is a modern garter stitch shawl with stripes 
and short rows. The shawl is worked sideways.

My yarn choice for this is merino light

thicket (a very dark purple) and grove - one skein of each

The colours could change this week when we receive more merino light.
Here are a few combinations that I saw on Ravelry
cove and wellwater
cove and badlands
ruby slippers and grasshopper
badlands and bloomsbury

Shadow is knit on 4mm needles. 

Purchase the pattern on Ravelry

Football is on the TV now and I finished section 4. I'm 20 rows into section 5. There are another 20 rows of this colour and then 50 or so rows of the next colour.

The football game isn't close. If things don't change soon I'm going to put my friend Patrick on the TV until the next game starts.

Someone started a new project

I took a few pictures of Fifty One Shades of Truth before I left last night.

Section 4 is picked up and a few rows done. When I got home last night my knitting had to be set aside for a bit. Someone (my non-knitter sister) decided that they wanted to make a Linen Stitch Scarf. She took (yes took and didn't pay for) 6 balls of Classic Elite Liberty Wool, 7mm needles and stitch markers. I had to cast on 450 stitches and then do the first row for her. She then did two rows herself while we watched TV. Top Chef and The Bachelor. Perfect knitting TV. You don't have to pay too much attention and if you miss something it doesn't really matter.

I got a few more rows of Section 4 done but left it at home today. Not too bright but I do have other knitting here. :) I was running out the door to get to the license bureau. I still don't have the new sticker on my car-I'm only a month and a half overdue on getting it. Every time I thought about going my stomach hurt. Waiting in that line. YUCK! When I got there my number was 67. They were on 60. Within 8 minutes my number was called. Why did I get myself so worked up? It was easy.

Mr. Canada Post brought in box 1 of 5 of madelinetosh yarns today. We received merino light, sock and one colour of merino dk. Hopefully on Monday he will have lots more for us.

Make sure you check out Laura Aylor's Ravelry Group before Monday, January 14th. Laura is the designer of All The Shades of Truth and it is her birthday. There is a surprise waiting for you!

Section Three is Done

I got to work a bit early this morning. 8:30. I was awake so I decided to get the day going. I've done some paperwork (orders have been emailed to madelinetosh and Rowan) and then cast off section three.

When you see the colours side by side you don't think there is much difference in some of them but knit up there is a big difference. If you haven't been following, I'm knitting All the Shades of Truth by Laura Aylor in Fifty Shades of Grey Shepherd Sock from Lorna's Laces.

My knitting is sitting beside me and when I'm done writing I will pick up section four.

Sticking with the easy, you still have time to knit and wear this winter theme, here is a cowl from Classic Elite. It is a free pattern-they send out newsletters once a week with free patterns. Sign up on www.classiceliteyarns.com.

Chalet

Chainette yarns are well-deserving of their popularity...the construction simultaneously provides strength and lightness. Add a luxury fiber blend of baby alpaca and bamboo to that inherent lightness and you have Chalet, a decadently soft yarn with a lovely drape in a chunky weight from our MountainTop Collection of yarns spun from natural, undyed fibers. Chalet looks great knit at a wide variety of gauges and textures.

Chalet Coors Cowl

I just sent yarn off to Lynda and she is knitting a sample for the store.

There are five boxes in transit from madelinetosh. I keep checking online and they are sitting in Chicago. Hopefully we will see them next week.

merino

-tart

merino light

-calligraphy
-logwood
-vermillion
-baltic
-amber trinket
-well water
-black velvet
-persian rose
-blue gingham
-ruby slippers
-thyme
-graphite
-kale
-silver fox
-cove
-thicket
-antique lace
-grasshopper
-onyx

merino dk

-well water
-opaline
-fragrant
-cove
-fig
-manor
-william morris
-tart
-wilted rose

sock

-mourning dove
-rosewood
-magnolia leaf
-grenadine
-cove
-lepidoptra
-violin
-crumble
-fathom
-celadon
-baltic

pashmina

-cove
-cathedral

I don't think that I should hit Publish yet because I am sure things will come up during the day that I should add. Do I or don't I?? I'm going to do it. If I don't I will keep writing during the day and this way I know the post is done and I can knit. :)

She's Back

Sarah (she's in Canada until Monday) and Cathy stopped by the store this afternoon so that Sarah could pick out yarn for her Knitter's Frolic project. That's right. She will be back from England in April and will be in the booth. Her new project is cute. :) Lynn-you are going to like it.

We went out for dinner. Lots of laughs. Sarah just sent an email that they are home and she is winding some skeins into balls.

I made it through section 2 last night. There was the thought of starting number 3 but it was already 11. If I started then I would be up way past my bedtime. :)

I had Sarah put it on to model for me-much nicer to see her smiling face than a mannequin.

On Saturday I posted about a design from Churchmouse Yarns called the Shoulder Cozy. Anne stopped in Saturday afternoon to get the yarn and blogged about it yesterday. It's done. Take a look-I like it!!

Are you a student at McMaster? Or know one? There is a knitting group on campus.

The facebook group is called "McMaster Purl and Curl." We will be having our first meeting on January 10th at 5:30 in the off-campus student lounge. Our plan is to meet weekly at that time, and we will be keeping the fb group updated with any changes. 

There are a few mail orders to pack and then I'm going to start section 3. With the help of my friend Patrick Jane. I spent so much time with him that I really do think of him as a friend. :)

Section Two

Two of the hottest trends this winter are cowls/infinity scarves and fingerless gloves.

These are knit in Felted Tweed from Rowan. Both are made from Churchmouse patterns. I considered bringing some yarn home yesterday to start on the set but Fifty One Shades needs to be done in just over three weeks. This could be my airplane project though. Not too much thinking. Won't take up a lot of room in my bag.

Welted Cowl and Infinity Loop
Welted Fingerless Gloves

The football yesterday wasn't very good but I did get lots of knitting done. There was also four episodes of The Mentalist. This morning I watched two more episodes before football started. We're half way done Season Two. I better think about slowing down-on The Mentalist, not my knitting. :)

Fifty One Shades of Truth so far. I am about a third of the way through the second section. I forgot to bring home a longer cord for my addi click so getting a picture wasn't easy. The dog hair everywhere in our house didn't help. I had to sweep before thinking about laying this on the floor. It's that time of the year. Two hairy dogs. If I let it bother me I would have the broom in my hands at all times so I keep a blind eye to it most days.

I'm setting the bar high but I hope to be most of the way through Section Two before going to bed tonight. I better sign off if I have any chance.

Spring is Coming

There is a box on the way from Berroco and Mr. UPS should be delivering it tomorrow. Can you believe that spring yarns are starting to arrive??

-New Norah Gaughan book. I could only get a picture of the cover but as you know, Norah's books always have amazing designs.

-A new yarn called Karma. Sorry I only have the cover of this books as well. The yarn is a thick, tape like yarn. Lightweight but quick to knit.

-Four new colours of Berroco Sox.

A bit more progress was made on Fifty One Shades of Truth last night while watching The Mentalist. There is only one episode left in Season One - Season Two is downloading now.

After spending yesterday in my lay around clothes and knitting I'm having a hard time working today. I want to be on the couch with needles in my hands. Are you having the same problem??

Happy New Year

Happy New Year. All the best to you and your family for 2013. It's hard to believe that another year has passed.

Last night Beth and I went to our friend Lynda's for a bit. My knitting did go with me. When we got home there were a few episodes of Homeland watched. You have to pay attention to the show so you don't get as much knitting done as you would like to.

Here is the progress I made last night.

I got a bit more done this afternoon.

I should have gone out a bit earlier when it was brighter out. There are about 200 rows to go before the centre section is done.

Season One of Homeland is done. Now we are ready for Season Two but it isn't on iTunes yet. It isn't available in Best Buy either. I don't know if we can wait. I need to know what is happening!!

What to watch tonight? The Mentalist is calling me and my knitting. I need to get more rows done. I want to be done the centre tomorrow.

Fifty One Shades of Truth

Here it is. The project that I am going to have done before I leave for TNNA.

All the Shades of the Truth. I'm using the Fifty Shades of Grey colours of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock. There are five skeins and each skein has ten shades of grey. The last shade is the solid grey for the borders. I'm calling it Fifty One Shades of Truth.

Laura Aylor is the designer. This is
her All the Shades of Truth. You can
purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

The pattern calls for five colours and I have six so I decided that I am going to use the colours in whatever order I want.

When I got home from work the dogs took me outside to play.

Mr. Melo has a new ball.

Mr. Roko lost his frisbee in a snow bank.

He was very happy when he found it.

I've been home for two hours and the knitting hasn't come out of the bag yet. That isn't going to cut it so I'm doing a short post and then get the needles out.

Happy New Year!!